So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
And I'm not lying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Survive the only way that you know
I'm doing this for you
Because it's easier to lose
And it's hard to face the truth
When you think you're dying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
But you don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
[x4]
Because Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
You don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
Survive the only way that you know
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
And I'm not lying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Survive the only way that you know
I'm doing this for you
Because it's easier to lose
And it's hard to face the truth
When you think you're dying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
But you don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
[x4]
Because Standing in the way of control
You live your life
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We live our lives
Because we're standing in the way of control
We will live our lives
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Your back's against the wall
There's no-one home to call
You're forgetting who you are
You can't stop crying
It's part not giving in
And part trusting your friends
You do it all again
You don't stop trying
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Standing in the way of control
Survive the only way that you know
Lyrics submitted by SparksOfGold
Standing in the Way of Control Lyrics as written by Mary Beth Patterson Hannah Blilie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Such a powerful song, with a clear message- "we're standing in the way of control, we live our lives" (you might as well add "anyway"). I don't think it's just for gays, but also for every group that doesn't fit into the mainstream.
I take it as a clear call to stand up for your opinion and lifestyle and not back down to anybody. Not to offend anyone here, but I think that message is much more important than a teen drama on TV...
It's says we're staying in the way of control, and who has ultimate control over us???? US. We do with our actions/behaviors; our speech; our education and job choices; our spending and saving practices; our hatred; our greed; our love; our habits; our horrors, etc. WE determine our destiny. Thus, WE hold ourselves back.